noun
asshole
as-hohl
noun
1
A vulgar term for the anus.
"The doctor examined the patient's asshole for hemorrhoids."
2
A vulgar insult for an unpleasant, selfish, or contemptible person.
"He acted like a total asshole at the party."
How to Use Asshole
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA crude word — literally the anus, and as an insult, a very unpleasant or selfish person.
When to use it
Vulgar slang; avoid in formal or polite contexts. British English more often uses "arsehole".
UK vs US
American English favors "asshole"; British English traditionally favors "arsehole", though both are now widely understood.
Word Forms
assholes plural, assholes plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “asshole”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Etymology
A variant of "arsehole", from Middle English ers + hole; the insult sense developed in the 20th century.